Fragment (Shawl) Possibly 1000 - 1532

This is a woven fragment of a shawl, made by the Ica people. The dominant visual experience is one of texture and pattern, with the warm red tones providing a strong contrast. The top portion features a tightly woven diamond pattern, which gives way to a lower section with more complex geometric motifs. The composition is divided into distinct zones. The transition between the simple upper pattern and the more intricate lower design suggests a structural shift, perhaps indicating different layers of meaning or status. The use of geometric patterns also echoes a broader interest in structuralism, where underlying forms carry cultural and symbolic weight. This fragment destabilizes the conventional notion of a complete artwork, inviting us to consider the semiotic potential of incompleteness and the ongoing interpretation of cultural artifacts.